Metallic strip milling machine

ABSTRACT

A MILING MACHINE IS PROVIDED FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY MILLING CONTOURS IN OPPOSITE SIDES OF A METALLIC STRIP, WHEREIN THE METALLIC STRIP IS FED FROM A SUPPLY REEL AT ONE END OF THE MACHINE IN ONE PATH LENGTHWISE ALONG THE MACHINE AND IS REVERSED UPSIDE DOWN BY A REVERSING ROLL AT THE OTHER END OF THE MACHINE AND FED IN ANOTHER ADJACENT PATH LENGTHWISE ALONG THE MACHINE TO A TAKE-UP REEL AT SAID ONE END OF THE MACHINE. AT LEAST ONE MILLING UNIT IS PROVIDED TOWARD SAID ONE END OF THE MACHINE FOR MILLING THE UPWARDLY FACING SIDE OF THE METALLIC STRIP IN SAID ONE PATH, AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER MILLING UNIT IS PROVIDED TOWARD SAID OTHER END OF THE MACHINE FOR MILLING THE UP-   WARDLY FACING SIDE OF THE METALLIC STRIP IN SAID OTHER ADJACENT PATH. AN INSPECTION STATION INCLUDING A COMPARATOR IS LOCATED ADJACENT THE CENTER OF THE MACHINE FOR INSPECTING THE UPWARDLY FACING MILLED SIDES OF THE METALLIC STRIP PASSING THEREBY IN SAID PATHS.

June 12, 1973 s. R. HOOD ETAL Re. 27,664

METALLIC STRIP MILLING MACHINE Driginal Filed May 31, 1968 7Sheets-Sheet 1 Hb/e "ll June 12, 1973 s. R. HOOD ET AL Re. 27,664

METALLIC STRIP MILLING MACHINE Original Filed May 31, 1968 7Sheets-Sheet 2 .50 m 5/ 62 OE [1 June 12, 1973 s. R. HOOD ETAL Re.27,664

METALLIC STRIP MILLING MACHINE Original Filed May 31, 1968 7Sheets-Sheet 3 77mm Around COOLKINT June 12, 1973 s. R. HOOD ETAL Re.27,664

METALLIC STRIP MILLING momma Original Filed May 31, 1968 7 Sheets-Sheett June 12, 1973 HOOD ET AL Re. 27,664

METALLIC STRIP MILLING MACHINE Original Filed May 31, 1968 7Sheets-Sheet 6 June 12, 1973 s R. H000 ET AL Re. 27,664

METALLIC STRIP MILLING MACHINE United States Patent 27,664 METALLICSTRIP MILLING MACHINE Stanley R. Hood, La Jolla, Calif., and Robert E.Truitt,

Reading, Pa., assignors to Metals Engineering Company, Reading, Pa.

Original No. 3,494,253, dated Feb. 10, 1970, Ser. No. 733,579, May 31,1968. Application for reissue Feb. 22, 1971, Ser. No. 109,067

Int. Cl. B23c 3/00, 9/00 U.S. Cl. 9021 11 Claims Matter enclosed inheavy brackets If] appears in the original patent but forms no part ofthis reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates theadditions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A milling machine is provided forsimultaneously milling contours in opposite sides of a metallic strip,wherein the metallic strip is fed from a supply reel at one end of themachine in one path lengthwise along the machine and is reversed upsidedown by a reversing roll at the other end of the machine and fed inanother adjacent path lengthwise along the machine to a take-up reel atsaid one end of the machine. At least one milling unit is providedtoward said one end of the machine for milling the upwardly facing sideof the metallic strip in said one path, and at least one other millingunit is provided toward said other end of the machine for milling theupwardly facing side of the metallic strip in said other adjacent path.An inspection station including a comparator is located adjacent thecenter of the machine for inspecting the upwardly facing milled sides ofthe metallic strip passing thereby in said paths.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a milling machine forsimultaneously milling contours in opposite sides of a metallic strip,the machine being as described above. By so simultaneously millingcontours in opposite sides of the metallic strip, more accurate millingis made possible, less handling of material is required and generaloperating costs and expenses are maintained at a minimum.

Preferably, the machine also includes deburring fixtures adjacent themilling units for removing burrs which may be formed by the millingoperations. Also, suitable driving means for driving the metallic stripthrough the machine and suitable controls therefor are provided toassure accurate feeding of the metallic strip through the milling unitsand deburring fixtures. The milling units and deburring fixtures areadjustable in construction and operation for accommodating differentlydimensioned metallic strips and milling differently dimensioned contourstherein.

Such metallic strips with contours accurately milled on opposite sidesmay be readily fed to progressive dies in a suitable press for formingvarious different parts, such as, for example, keys electricalconnectors, spring contacts and the like.

Further objects of this invention reside in the details of constructionof the milling machine and in the cooperative relationships between thecomponent parts thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanyingspecification, claims and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a metallic strip which hashad contours milled on opposite sides thereof by the milling machine ofthis invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are top plan and side elevational views of one end of themilling machine of this invention;

FIGS. 2A and 3A are top plan and side elevational views of the center ofthe machine;

FIGS. 28 and 3B are top plan and side elevational views of the other endof the machine;

When FIGS. 2 and 3, 2A and 3B and 2B and 3B are layed end to end, theyillustrate diagrammatically the milling machine of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the adjustable support utilized in themilling units which perform the milling operation in said one path withportions of the milling units omitted;

FIG. 5 s a side elevational view of the adjustable support illustratedin FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the adjustable support takensubstantially along the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating theadjustable support for performing milling operations in said otheradjacent path;

FlG. 8 is a sectional view through a portion of the adjustable supportof FIG. 7, FIG. 8 being taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of one of the deburring fixtures;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the deburring fixture illustrated in FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line1111 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are enlarged views illustrating certaindetails of the various deburring fixtures utilized in the machine; and

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of the guide plate utilized in thearrangements of FIGS. l5, l6 and 17.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated on an enlarged scale ametallic strip 10 having opposite sides 7 and 8. For example, thismetallic strip 10 may have a thickness of 0.18 inch and a width of .370inch. In the milling of the strip 10 by the milling machine of thisinvention the side 7 of the strip 10 faces upwardly and as the strip ismoved along said one path lengthwise of the machine, a milling unit 2mills the contour 1 and then a milling unit 2 mills the contour 2. Thestrip 10 with the contours 1 and 2 milled therein is then reversed atthe other end of the machine so as to place the side 8 upwardly. Thestrip then is advanced with the side 8 facing upwardly along said otheradjacent path along the machine and a milling unit 3 then mills thecontour 3, a milling unit 4 mills the contour 4. milling unit 5 millsthe contour 5 and a milling unit 6 mills the contour 6. The metallicstrip 10 with the milled contours 1, 2. 3, 4, 5 and 6 is utilized by wayof example to show the complete versatility of the milling machine ofthis invention.

The milling units 1 and 2 for milling the contours 1 and 2 on the side 7of the metallic strip 10 are diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 andare generally designated 1 and 2. These milling units 1 and 2 arecarried by a table 20 identified as table #1 and this table also carriesdeburring fixtures 11 and 12 for removing burrs resulting from theoperation of the milling units 1 and 2. The milling units 3, 4, 5 and 6for forming the contours on the opposite side 8 of the metallic strip 10are diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 3B, these milling unitsbeing generally designated as 3, 4, 5 and 6. These milling units arecarried by a table 21 which has been designated table #1 and this table21 also carries deburring fixtures 13, 14 and 15 for removing burrs onside 8 of the strip 10 following milling thereof.

Interposed between tables 20 and 21 is a console and comparator stationas shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A. This station includes a control console 19and a support 22 for a comparator 23.

Adjacent one end of the machine as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 there isprovided a pay-off station which includes a support 25 for supporting areel 26 carrying a coil 27 of the metallic strip 10. The reel 26 isprovided with a friction brake so as to provide tension in the metallicstrip 10 as it is uncoiled or payed-off from the coil 27.

As the metallic strip 10 is payed-off from the coil 27, it passesthrough a guide 28 along a path 29 extending lengthwise from said oneend of the machine. The metallic strip 10 is passing along said on path29 is then milled by the milling units 1 and 2 and deburred by thedeburring fixtures 11 and 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Themetallic strip 10 moving along said one path 29 passes through a guide30 and through comparator 23 so that it may be accurately inspectedfollowing the milling and deburring operations performed by the millingunits 1 and 2 and the deburring fixtures 11 and 12 as shown in FIGS. 2Aand 3A. The metallic strip 10 proceeds from the comparator 23 through aguide 31 and a guide 32, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 38 to a reversing roll33 where the metallic strip is reversed or turned around so that theside 8 of the metallic strip is then caused to face upwardly. Thereversing roll 33 is carried by a frame 34 of a turn around station andthe reversed metallic strip 10 then proceeds from this end of themachine back to the other end of the machine along said other adjacentpath 35. To assist in laterally locationg the path 35 from the path 29the reversing roll 23 is preferably canted as illustrated in FIG. 2B and3B.

The metallic strip 10 with its side 8 upwardly moving along said otheradjacent path 35 passes through a guide 32 and through the milling units3, 4, 5 and 6 where the contours 3, 4, 5 and 6 are milled into the side8 of the metallic strip 10. The metallic strip 10 then passes throughdeburring fixtures 15, 14 and 13 for removing burrs caused by themilling units in forming the contours. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, themetallic strip 10 in said path 35 passes through a guide 31 and throughthe comparator 23 to a guide 30. The comparator provides for accurateinspection of the milling and deburring operations performed on the side8 of the metallic strip 10 at the same time that inspection may be madeof the milled and deburred contours on the side 7 of the metallic strip.

and between brushes 37 and 38 operated by motors 48 l and 49 forbrushing both sides of the metallic strip 10 to remove any particleswhich may be adhering thereto. From the brushes 37 and 38 the metallicstrip moving along the path 35 feeds through a guide 39, a wiper 40, arinse tank 41 carried by a frame 42, a wiper 43 and a guide 44 to atake-up reel 46 arranged on a frame 47 of a take-up station. The reel 46coils the completely contoured and cleaned metallic strip thereon in acoil 45. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, the machine may also be providedwith a coolant tank 50, a filter 51 and suitable piping carried by aframe 52 for supplying coolant to the milling units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The metallic strip 10 is fed along the path 28 from the pay-01f reel 26past the milling units 1 and 2, the deburring units 11 and 12 and thecomparator 23 by a driving means 55 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3A. Thedriving means 55 includes a pair of free running pressure rolls 56 and adriven roll 57 operated through a variable speed drive mechanism 58 byan electric motor 59, the metallic strip 10 coursing the rolls 56 and57. Thus, a positive and accurately controlled feeding of the metallicstrip 10 along the path 29 is provided. A control means is included atthe console 19 adjacent the comparator 23 for controlling the variablespeed drive 58 to regulate the speed of advance of the metallic strip10. Thus, by inspection of the metallic strip at the comparator 23 theoperator at the console can accurately regulate the speed of advance ofthe metallic strip 10 in accordance with conditions prevailing at thecomparator.

The metallic strip 10 is fed along the path 35 through the milling units3, 4, 5 and 6, the deburring units 15, 14 and 13 and the comparator 23by a drive means 61 on table 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3A. Thisdrive means 61 also includes a pair of pressure rolls 62 and a drivenroll 63 which are coursed by the metallic strip 10 in the path 35, thedriven roll 63 being driven through a variable speed drive 64 by anelectric motor 65. The speed of operation of the driving means 61 iscontrolled so as to provide a desired tension in the metallic strip 10as it passes along the path 35. Towards this end, the turn aroundstation 34 which carries the reversing roll 33 is provided with a pairof rolls and 71 over which the metallic strip 10 passes in the path 35.A roll 72 carried by an arm 73 rides on the top of the metallic strip 10between the rolls 70 and 71 and it moves upwardly and downwardlydepending upon the tension in the metallic tape. The arm 73 carrying therolls 72 operates a control device which in turn regulates the variablespeed drive 64 for controlling the speed of operation of the drivingmeans 61 and, hence, the tension in the metallic strip.

The take-up reel 46 is operated through a variable speed drive 67 by anelectric motor 68 and it is controlled by a tension responsive device atthe take-up station 47 for providing proper tension in the metallicstrip 10 as it is being coiled on the reel 46. In this connection, themetallic strip 10 in the path 35 passes over rolls 75 and 76 and a roll77 carried by an arm 78 rides on the upper surface of the metallic strip10 between the rolls 75 and 76. The roll 77 will move upwardly anddownwardly in accordance with the tension in the metallic strip 10 andthis upward and downward movement causes the arm 78 to operate a controlmeans for in turn controlling the variable speed drive 67 and, hence,the speed of rotation of the take-up reel 46. In this way, the metallicstrip 10 is provided with the desired tension as it is coiled at 45 onthe take-up reel 46.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 2B, 3B, each milling unit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6includes a base 81 carried by the tables 20 and 21, and a frame 83carried by the base 81 for carrying an electric motor 84 for rotating acutter 85, the cutter 85 being above the metallic strip 10 being milledthereby. Each milling unit also includes an adjustable support 80carried by the base below the metallic strip 10.

The adjustable support 80 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6,the adjustable support being generally designated at 80in these figures.The adjustable support includes a base plate 87 carried by the base 81and it is provided with a lower slide wear plate 88. A lower slide 89 isslidably mounted on the wear plate 88 and it is provided with a pair ofdovetail surfaces 90. A pair of gibbs 91 are secured to the base plate87, one of the gibbs 91 engaging directly one of the dovetail surfaces90 and the other gibb 91 having a gibb insert between it and the otherdovetail surface 90. The gibbs 91 guide the lower slide 89 forlongitudinal movement. When the lower slide 89 is properly positioned, ascrew 93 operated by a knob 94 extending through one of the gibbs 91presses the gibb insert 92 against the lower slide 89 for locking thesame in place. To assure complete locking the gibb 91 is also providedwith locking screws 95 which also engage the gibb insert 92. In thisway, the lower slide 89 may be locked in desired position. A block 98carried by the base plate 87 screw threadedly receives a screw 97 havingratchet handle 101 for rotating the same. The screw 97 extends into acavity in the lower slide 89 and is provided with a collar 99 w hich isheld in the cavity by a plate 100. Thus, when the locking device 94 isreleased, rotation of the screw 97 by the ratchet handle 101 provideslongitudinal movement to the lower slide 89. The base plate 87 alsocarries a block 102 adjacent to other end of the lower slide 89.

The upper surface of the lower slide 89 is slanted and is provided witha dovetail piece 104 having dovetail surfaces 105. An upper slide 106 isprovided with matching dovetail surfaces for engaging the dovetailsurfaces 105 of the dovetail piece 104. A gibb piece 107 is interposedbetween the upper slide 106 and one side of the dovetail piece 104. Ascrew 108 having a knob 109 extends through a portion of the upper slide106 and engages the gibb piece 107 for pressing the same against thedovetail piece 104 for locking the lower slide 89 and the upper slide106 together. To assure firm and accurate locking, additional screws 110are prvoided for also engaging and pressing the gibb piece 107 againstthe dovetail piece 104. Longitudinal movement of the upper slide 106 isprevented by the end blocks 98 and 102. When the screw 108 is releasedand the bottom slide 89 is longitudinally moved, the upper slide will beadjusted upwardly and downwardly and when the proper adjusted positionis obtained, then the screw 108 is tightened. To eliminate any possibleforward or backward movement the end block 102 is provided with a screw111 for holding the assembly tightly against the other end block 98.

A guide and wear plate holder 113 is suitably secured to the top of theupper slide 106, this holder 113 having longitudinally arranged ribs.The holder 113 carries a rear guide rail 114, a wear plate 115 which isheld in place by clamp members 116 and a front guide rail 117, theserails and clamps being suitably secured in place on the holder 113. Apair of pins 118 engage the front guide rail 117 and their outer endsare engaged by clamps 17 which press the rods 118 inwardly by means ofspring washers 120 pressed against the clamps by screws 121. In thisWay, the guide rails 114 and 117 and the wear plate 115 therebetween arefirmly and accurately secured in place in the holder 113. The uppersurface of the wear plate 115 is depressed below the upper surfaces ofthe guide rails 114 and 117 for the purpose of guiding the metallicstrip and firmly backing the same as it is being milled by the cutter85.

A pair of hold down clamps 123 arranged above the guide rails 114 and117 and the wear plate clamps 116 is held in place by nuts 124 on studs125 and by spring washers 126 pressed against the hold down clamps 123by means of screws 127. The under surfaces of the hold down clamps 123are proivded with pieces 128 of nylon or the like. These hold downclamps with their nylon surfaces positively hold the metallic stripagainst the wear plate 115 as the upper surface of the metallic strip isbeing milled by the cutter 85.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is for milling the contours onthe side 7 of the metallic strip 10 as the metallic strip is beingadvanced along the path 29. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the construction ofthe adjustable support 80 for supporting the metallic strip 10 in thepath 35 as it is having its side 8 milled by the cutters. In thisconnection, the guide rails 114 and 117, the wear plate 115 and the wearplate clamps 116 are maintained in the appropriate position by pins 130and 131 which in turn are positioned by clamps 119 which are springbiased by the springs 120 and screws 121.

The deburring fixtures 11, 12, 13, 14 and are carried by bases 136 andthe construction of these deburring devices is illustrated in moredetail in FIGS. ll to 12. Here, each deburring fixture which isgenerally designated at 135 includes a base plate 137 secured to thebase 136. A pair of guide rails 138 and 139 are secured to the baseplate 137. An intermediate guide plate 140 holds a wear plate 141against the guide rail 138. The guide plate 140 is held against the baseplate 137 by hold down plates 142 secured to the rails 138 and 139. Thefixture is also provided with a pair of end plates 143 suitably securedto the base plate 137. A pair of screws 144 extending through the guiderail 139 engage the guide plate for holding the same tightly against theguide rail 138. The metallic strip 10 to be deburred moves along thewear plate 141 between the guide rail 138 and the guide plate 140underneath the hold down plates 142. A spring strip clamp 145 alsooperates to hold the metallic strip 10 down against the wear plate 141.

The deburring fixture also includes a collar 147 secured to the baseplate 137 which in turn carries a post 148 upon which is slidablymounted a bracket 149, rotation of the bracket 149 with respect to thepost 148 being prevented by a key carried by the bracket 149 extendinginto a key slot 150 in the post 148. The top of the post 148 carries abracket 151 which in turn journals for rotation a screw 152 extendinginto a screw threaded hole in the bracket 149. The screw 152 is rotatedby a knob 153 and as the knob 153 is rotated, the bracket 149 isadjusted upwardly and downwardly on the post 148. The bracket 149 isprovided with a hole for receiving a horizontal arm 154, the arm 154being secured in place on the bracket and being secured against rotationon the bracket by set screws extending through the bracket and engaginga fiat on the arm 154. A tool holder 155 is slidably mounted on the arm154 and it is held against rotation with respect to the arm 154 by a keyextending into a key slot 156 in the arm 154. The end of the arm 154 isprovided with a bracket 154 which rotatably mounts a screw 158 receivedin a screw threaded hole in the tool holder 155, the screw being rotatedby a knob 159. Thus, by rotating the knob 159 the tool holder 155 may behorizontally adjusted along the horizontal arm 154. The tool holdercarries a tool 160 which is arranged above the metallic strip so as toremove burrs from the milled metallic strip.

FIGS. 13 to 17 are enlarged views showing the manner in which thedeburring is accomplished. FIG. 13 illustrating the deburring actionaccomplished by the deburring fixture 11, FIG. 14 illustrating thedeburring action accomplished by the deburring fixture 12, FIG. 15illustrating the deburring action accomplished by the deburring fixture15, FIG. 16 illustrating the deburring action accomplished by thedeburring fixture l4 and FIG. 1? illustrating the deburring actionaccomplished by the deburring fixture 13. In FIG. 13 the metallic strip10 is supported by the wear plate 141 between the guide rail 138 and theguide plate 140. The deburring tool 160 is a straight tool and removesburrs from cuts 1 and 2 illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 14 whichrepresents the deburring fixture 12, the tool 160 has a reduced portion161 for removing burrs from cut 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Thedeburring fixtures illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 have to do withremoving burrs resulting from milling side 8 of the metallic strip 10.In this connection, the wear plate 141 is contoured as illustrated at162 for firmly supporting the metallic strip along cut 2 as illustratedin FIG. 1. Here, the wear plate 141' is also provided with a slot 163for receiving a portion 166 of the tool 160. Here, also, the guide plate140 is provided with a lip 164 and with a slot 165 for accommodating thetool 160. The tool portion 166 and the lip 164 operate to remove theburr from the underside of the sharp edge which was formed by cut 6 asillustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 16 which is representative of thedeburring fixture 14, the wear plate 141' is also contoured at 162 forproperly supporting the metallic strip 10. Here, the lip 164 on theguide plate 140' firmly holds the metallic strip 10 and the straighttool 160 operates to remove the burr from cuts 3 and 5 as illustrated inFIG. 1. In FIG. 17 which is representative of the deburring fixture 13,the wear plate 141' is also contoured to properly support the metallicstrip 10 and the lip 164 also holds and guides the metallic strip 10.Here, the tool 160 is provided with a pointed surface 167 for removingthe burr from cut 5 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

While for purposes of illustration, one form of this invention has beendisclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled inthe art upon reference to this disclosure and, therefore, this inventionis to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A milling machine for milling contours on opposite sides of ametallic strip comprising, a supply reel adjacent one end of the machinecarrying a coil of the metallic strip for paying out the metallic stripalong one path extending lengthwise of the machine with one side of themetallic strip facing upwardly, a reversing roll adjacent the other endof the machine which is coursed by the metallic strip for reversing themetallic strip and feeding it along another adjacent path extendinglengthwise of the machine with the other side of the metallic stripfacing upwardly, a take-up reel adjacent said one end of the machine forcoiling thereon the metallic strip from said other adjacent path, atleast one milling unit adjacent said one end of the machine having arotatable cutter above said one path for milling said one side of themetallic strip as it is advanced along said one path, at least one othermilling unit adjacent said other end of the machine having a rotatablecutter above said other adjacent path for milling said other side of themetallic strip as it is advanced along said other adjacent path, and aninspection station adjacent the center of the machine including acomparator above said path and said other adjacent path for inspectingthe upwardly facing milled sides of the metallic strip passing therebyin said paths.

2. A milling machine as defined in claim 1 including, at least onedeburring fixture between said at least one milling unit and saidinspection station having a tool above said one path for deburring theupwardly facing milled side of the metallic strip passing thereby insaid one path", and at least one other deburring fixture between said atleast one other milling unit and said inspection station having a toolabove said other adjacent path for deburring the upwardly facing milledside of the metallic strip passing thereby in said other adjacent path.

3. A milling machine as defined in claim 1 including, first drivingmeans between said inspection station and said other end of the machinehaving driving rolls engaging the metallic strip in said one path andvariable speed drive means for said driving rolls, first control meansat said inspection station including a console for controlling the speedof operation of said variable speed drive means, second driving meansbetween said inspection station and said one end of the machine havingdriving rolls engaging the metallic strip in said other adjacent pathand variable speed drive means for said driving rolls, and secondcontrol means including means responsive to the tension of the metallicstrip in said other adjacent path between said reversing roll and saidat least one other milling unit for controlling the speed of operationof said variable speed drive means of said second driving means.

4. A milling machine as defined in claim 3 including, third drivingmeans including variable speed drive means for driving said take-upreel, and third control means including means responsive to the tensionof the metallic strip in said other adjacent path as the metallic stripapproaches said take-up reel for controlling the speed of operation ofsaid variable speed drive means of said third driving means.

5. A milling machine as defined in claim 1 wherein each said millingunit comprises, a base carried by the machine for supporting therotatable cutter above the metallic strip and an adjustable supportcarried by the base below the metallic strip and including a wear platecarried by the adjustable support for engaging the underside of themetallic strip, guide rails carried by the adjustable support onopposite sides of the wear plate for guiding the metallic strip alongthe wear plate, said wear plate and guide rails being selectivelypositioned on the adjustable support so as to align said wear plate withsaid one path or said other adjacent path of the metallic strip, andmeans for adjustably raising and lowering the adjustable support and thewear plate carried thereby with respect to the rotatable cutter.

6. A milling machine as defined in claim 5 wherein the wear plate ofsaid at least one other milling unit is contoured to accommodate themilled underside of the metallic strip which was previously milled bysaid at least one milling unit.

7. A milling machine as defined in claim 5 including hold down clampsfor holding the metallic strip against the wear plate.

8. A milling machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said hold down clampshave a surface of Teflon or the like engaging the metallic strip.

9. A milling machine as defined in claim 2 wherein each said deburringfixture comprises, a base carried by the machine, a wear plate carriedby the base below the metallic strip, guide rails carried by the base onopposite sides of the wear plate for guiding the metallic strip alongthe wear plate, said wear plate and guide rails being selectivelypositioned on the base so as to align said wear plate with said one pathor said other adjacent path of the metallic strip, a post carried by thebase, an arm horizontally carried by the post above the metallic strip,a tool holder carried by the arm above the metallic strip, and adeburring tool carried by the tool holder above the metallic strip fordeburring the metallic strip, at least some of the connections betweenthe post, arm, tool holder and deburring tool being adjustable forappropriately positioning the deburring tool with respect to themetallic strip and the wear plate engaging the same.

10. A milling machine as defined in claim 9 wherein the wear plate ofsaid at least one other deburring fixture is contoured to accommodatethe milled and deburred underside of the metallic strip which waspreviously milled and deburred by said at least one milling unit andsaid at least one deburring fixture.

II. A milling machine for milling contours on opposite sides of ametallic strip comprising a supply reel adjacent one end of the machinecarrying a coil of the metallic strip for paying our the metallic stripalong a first path extending lengthwise of the machine with one side ofthe metallic strip facing upwardly, a reversing roll adjacent the otherend of the machine which is coursed by the metallic strip for reversingthe metallic strip and feeding it along a second path adjacent the firstpath and extending lengthwise of the machine with the other side of themetallic strip facing upwardly, a take-up reel ad jacent said one end ofthe machine for coiling thereon the metallic strip from the second path,at least one milling unit adjacent said one end of the machine having arotatable cutter above the first path for milling the one side of themetallic strip as it is advanced along the first path, at least oneother milling uni! adjacent said other end of the machine having arotatable cutter above the second path for milling the other side of themetallic strip as it is advanced along the second path.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,327,531 8/1943 Koch 21 A FOREIGN PATENTS 584,0849/1933 Germany 90-2l C 1,469,427 1/1967 France 90-21 A GIL WEIDENFELD,Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 9011 R

